No more RBC cup? - CJHL issues?

A proposed move from the four Western Junior A leagues, the BCHL, AJHL, SJHL and MJHL would see these leagues only, participate in an end of season tournament. This would replace the current CJHL(Canadian Jnr A Governing body),  end of season RBC championship which encompasses every Jnr A league across Canada such as the Ontario's Jnr A leagues - NOJHL, SIJHL, OJHL, Central Hockey League, Quebec's Jnr A League the LHJAAAQ and the Martime's Junior A League the MHL including the above mentioned western leagues.

I myself, would be a strong supporter of a Western Junior A League breakaway championship tournament. The often debated argument, that the Junior A leagues in the West, especially the BCHL and AJHL have a better standard of players and coaching; including much better fan support.
As far as standard of play, travel and fan support the BC/AJ/SJ/MJHL's would just be a better format and tourney.

No disrespect the Ontario Jnr A leagues, in which there are around 60 team in their 4 leagues which have been in operation for a long time. We have also seen some excellent Ontario players apply their craft in the BCHL over the years. But, for overall standard and support in most circles, its regarded as not quite as up to par as the leagues in the West.

The Junior A league in Quebec, has little fan fare or media outlets and very few of their teams ever make it to the RBC finals. To a point, Jnr A hockey in Quebec is a non-event.

The Martimes MHL league, has some solid frachises like Summerside, Weeks, Woodstock, Yarmouth and it would be ashame not to see those teams/league again should a breakaway occur. The MHL is fairly well supported by those communities who have teams.

Here is an article from the Estevan Mercury about the current state of the RBC tournament:

From Estevan Mercury

SJHL eyeing new western championship

October 19, 2011

It has long been rumoured that the SJHL would be part of a new venture taking the four western Junior A hockey leagues out of the RBC Cup and into a new western championship.

The Mercury has obtained a document outlining the strategic plan for such a move, to begin in time for the 2012-13 season.

Phone calls to SJHL president Bill Chow were not returned.

The proposed new format would see the four leagues – the BCHL, AJHL, SJHL and MJHL – governed under the terms of the Junior A Supplement and would allow them to begin their regular season later in September, ending in March.

According to the document, a major reason for the change is to get away from Hockey Canada's overbearing rules for hosting tournaments, which restrict profit for the host community by forcing them to change most or all of their advertising to Hockey Canada sponsors.

The document cites "Hockey Canada exclusivities" and "administrative fees for event management" among the reasons for taking this initiative.

It also stipulates that the leagues would maintain their membership in the CJAHL as well as the World Junior A Challenge and annual prospects game.

It also says that the four western leagues "shall remain open to the principle of a national championship if the dates and format can be worked out."

The schedule proposed in the strategic plan would see the western championship played during the first week in May, with an equal rotation among the four leagues.

The proposed format would also do away with the current regional championships, the ANAVET Cup for Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and the Doyle Cup for Alberta and B.C.

A section of the plan titled "threats" lists possible resistance from Hockey Canada and its sponsors, particularly RBC, and push back from the eastern leagues, as items to consider.

A running theme throughout the strategic plan is putting teams on strong economic standing, with part of the mission statement aimed at "creating economic wealth and team stability."

The proposal includes a plan to hold the inaugural western championship in May 2013 and, within the next two or three years, finalize the rotation for the first four years, through 2016, with the event being hosted by each of the four leagues in that time.